Perhaps, Madam Interpreter, rather than affirming or swearing you, it may be sufficient for the moment if you would explain to the applicant that I propose to send the case of him and his wife to the Federal Court.

What, I wondered, would that choleric gentleman have made of his decision, which was barely noted last week, to affirm rather than swear when taking his oath as First Minister at the Court of Session?

They benefited from the Toleration Act of 1689 and in 1696 were allowed to affirm rather than take an oath.

2 [with object] Offer (someone) emotional support or encouragement:there are five common ways parents fail to affirm their childrengood teachers know that students need to be both affirmed and challenged